A chaotic Brazilian football match ended with 23 players sent off after a mass brawl broke out during a heated state championship final.
The incident happened during the Campeonato Mineiro final between Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro, one of Brazil’s fiercest rivalries. Tensions escalated late in the match after a foul triggered an argument between players, which quickly turned into a large fight involving players, substitutes and coaching staff.
Referee Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima stopped the match and began issuing red cards as order was restored. In total, 23 players were sent off, including nine from Atlético Mineiro and fourteen from Cruzeiro, making it one of the largest mass dismissals in professional football history. Videos circulating online showed players pushing, punching and chasing one another across the pitch as officials and team staff struggled to break up the confrontation.
Brazilian football authorities are expected to review the incident and consider further disciplinary action, including potential suspensions for players involved in the brawl. The match has drawn widespread attention internationally due to the extraordinary number of red cards, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two clubs.
